Turmeric has been making waves in scientific communities for years, but more recently it has come into the spotlight for mainstream use. People all over the world are discovering the health benefits of turmeric and are increasingly incorporating this powerful herb into their daily routines.

Curcumin, a powerful antioxidant derived from turmeric, is the active ingredient responsible for the ancient Indian spice’s notable yellow coloring.

The deep golden color of turmeric has been used for centuries as a dye for textiles and also provides delicious flavoring to many popular curry dishes. 

Here are the top health benefits of adding turmeric (or a curcumin supplement) to your daily regimen:

Curcumin Is An Anti-Inflammatory 

Inflammation is the new smoking to many health professionals and wellness advocates. 

The number of illnesses that are directly linked to an increase in inflammation throughout the body is alarming. Researchers have been using the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin to reduce the effects of inflammation for patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and gastrointestinal conditions.

High antioxidant levels make curcumin an impressively effective fighter of inflammation. *

Curcumin And Heart Health

Maintaining heart health is something that everyone should take seriously. The American Heart Association states that nearly half of all adults in the United States have some type of cardiovascular disease. 

Given such alarming statistics, we should all be leveling-up our lifestyle choices and activities that contribute to better heart health.

Curcumin has been shown to optimize the function of the heart and blood vessels and help in the regulation of blood pressure.* (1)

Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and incorporating heart health boosters like curcumin are all great ways to help reduce your risk of heart disease. 

Curcumin And Cancer 

Curcumin is being utilized as a complementary treatment modality for cancer patients. Doctors are finding that the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, in addition to conventional therapies,  help to fight tumor growth.* (2)

 

Curcumin And Arthritis 

Sufferers of arthritis know that inflammation can be extremely painful. Joint pain and stiffness increase with age and arthritis adds exponentially to that feeling of discomfort. 

The anti-inflammatory curcuminoids found in curcumin have been shown to be very effective at helping to quell inflammation for arthritis sufferers.*

In a study of middle-aged adults who had been diagnosed with arthritis, researchers found that the group that received curcumin as opposed to a placebo saw an improvement in joint function.  (3)

The curcumin group reported less stiffness in the morning as well as improvements to other movements and functions. 

Curcumin And Depression

The potential for using curcumin to treat depression has been studied with great interest. Researchers have found curcumin to be well-tolerated by patients with depressive disorders.* (4)

One study suggests that by adding curcumin to standard care protocols, patients may see improvements in depression and/or anxiety symptoms. (4)

These results are especially noteworthy due to the number of negative side effects often reported with many traditional prescription treatments for depression.

Curcumin And Blood Sugar 

The antioxidant properties of curcumin have been touted as a potential support mechanism for normalizing blood sugar values.*  

The anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin are thought to be a potential contributor to combating high blood sugar levels, and high cholesterol- both of which have been linked to diabetes.* (5)

The biggest drawback for using curcumin has been the limited bioavailability of turmeric powder and traditional curcumin supplements.

How To Increase The Absorption Rate Of Curcumin

With the most lamented downside to curcumin use being the limited bioavailability of the supplement, researchers have found alternative methods of delivery to increase absorption rates. 

Studies have shown that liposomal encapsulation is the most effective way to administer curcumin. 

What Is Liposomal Curcumin?

Liposomal curcumin is the best way to maximize the amount of curcumin that your body is actually able to absorb. 

Liposomes are phospholipid molecules that are used to form a protective barrier around a drug or supplement. The liposomes act as a protective sheath that prevent stomach acids from breaking down curcumin (or other drugs) before it reaches the lower intestine for absorption into the bloodstream. 

By protecting the curcumin from the GI tract, more curcumin is able to reach the lower intestine, where it can then be delivered throughout the body to tissues that need it.

Make sure that your liposomal curcumin is sourced responsibly and is a formed liposome. 

Finding a high quality brand that uses sustainable sourcing and partners with reputable suppliers is the best way to make sure that your liposomal curcumin is not counterfeit or contaminated with other minerals or supplements. 

Click here to learn how Manna partners with outside laboratories to get third-party confirmation for purity and top-quality ingredients.